All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) said it wants to meet Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar next week, who has recently returned home from the United States, to negotiate the remaining part of the textile package. APTMA Central Chairman Tariq Saud said on Monday, "There are few conferences in Islamabad this week, including one on the GSP Plus. Therefore, we are planning to make an appointment for next week."
He said the problem of high business cost is top agenda and the federal government had already notified the imposition of a 10 percent regulatory duty on the import of cotton yarn and Grieg fabric. "The Federal Board of Revenue and the State Bank have also notified the finance facility for the textile industry," he added. He said, "We are in touch with the government on the textile industry issues, and I have issued press statements to appreciate the government approach. Finance Minister Dar had already deferred the remaining part of the textile package until his return from the United States. There is no truth that the government is delaying the textile package intentionally. The government has instead sincerely made effort to help out the textile industry. The association has been fighting for the relief over the last two years and holding a black day on the delay of the package. But the government has taken it positively and engaged with the association to resolve its issues and we fully appreciate this approach."